Casino game system and casino game terminal that can be used therein

ABSTRACT

In a system according to the present invention, a game based on a game program executed at a server device  50  can be played on each game terminal  1 . In the present system, a credit process execution unit  46  that executes a credit adding process and credit storage unit  47  are provided in each game terminal  1 . Therefore, no communication is necessary between each game terminal and the server device when credits equivalent of a deposit amount that is accepted by a deposit accepting unit  44  of each game terminal  1  are stored in a credit storage unit. This reduces the communication data volume between each game terminal and the server device in the system in which a player can play a game based on each of multiple kinds of game programs independently on each of a plurality of game terminals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a casino game system that is provided in a casino facility and a casino game terminal that can be used in the system.

2. Related Art

For example, a system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,602 is known as a casino game system of this sort. This system comprises a server and a plurality of clients, and the server can execute a plurality of game programs. Each client can access the plurality of game programs that the server executes, and a game image created by the accessed game program is displayed on a display unit of the client. Thereafter, a player can play a game from the game program being executed by the server by performing the game operation to the client. A typical conventional casino game system comprises a plurality of independent game devices, and each game device independently executes a game program. According to the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,602, most of the functions that each game device in this typical conventional casino game system is equipped with can be centralized in the server. In this way, each client only needs to be equipped with minimum functions, i.e. user interfaces (display unit and operation accepting unit) and a communication function that enables communication with the server. This dramatically reduces the costs for both hardware and software in the entire casino game system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,602, however, all functions except the user interfaces and communication function that each game device in the conventional casino game system is equipped with are centralized in the server. This causes a problem in which the volume of communication data increases, degrading the performance of the entire system. In particular, this problem can be serious for a casino game system at a large-scale casino facility due to the presence of a large number of clients.

On the other hand, in a download-type casino game system, a server stores a plurality of game programs. Each client downloads from the server a game program that a player has selected, and executes the game program on each client. In other words, the game program is executed on each client. Therefore, this system is more advantageous for dramatically reducing the processing load of the server than the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,602 in which the game program is executed on the server. However, a large amount of game program data needs to be transmitted from the server to each client in such a download-type casino game system. Therefore, the amount of data communicated between each client and the server in the download-type casino game system will be larger than in the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,602. Thus, the problem of performance degradation due to the increased communication data volume will be more serious in this system than in the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,602.

The present invention has been developed in view of the aforementioned problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a casino game system comprising a server device and a plurality of game terminals that is capable of controlling degradation in the performance of the system, and a casino game terminal that can be used in this system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a casino game system is provided in which a server device that executes at least one game program, and a plurality of game terminals that provide a game according to the game program to a player by communicating with the server device, are connected so as to allow a two-way communication therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of game terminals comprises:

an operation accepting unit for accepting a game selection operation and a game operation to a game in progress from a player;

a terminal communication processing unit for receiving game data of a game that is initiated upon execution of a game program by the server device, and for transmitting game selection operation information that identifies the game program specified by the game selection operation, and game operation information that identifies the game operation to the server device;

a display unit for displaying a game image based on image information included in the game data received by the terminal communication processing unit;

a detection unit for detecting detected information other than the game selection operation information and the game operation information; and

a process execution unit for processing the detected information.

In addition, the server device comprises:

a storage unit for storing the at least one game program;

a server communication processing unit for receiving the game selection operation information and the game operation information transmitted from each of the plurality of game terminals; and

a control unit for reading out, from the storage unit, the game program corresponding to the game selection operation information received from the game terminal, for executing the read-out game program, and for controlling the game executed based on the game program according to the game operation information.

Here, the server communication processing unit transmits the game data based on the game program being executed by the control unit, and the control data in accordance with the game operation information, to each of the plurality of game terminals that is a source of the game selection operation information and the game operation information.

This casino game system is a game system in which a game based on a game program executed in the server device can be played at each game terminal (hereinafter referred to as a “thin-client type game system”). It is often the case that the process for accepting a deposit as a bet, the process for determining whether or not the deposit is authentic, the process for accepting player identification information for performing a process for each player, etc. are performed in a typical conventional game system. Also, a process for monitoring performance malfunctions in various devices that constitute the game terminal, and a process for repairing (a resetting process) a device in which performance malfunction is detected and the like, are often performed therein. Further, a process for obtaining the performance status history indicating that the game terminal was in a specific performance status (a bonus game and event execution state, or in a state in which a performance malfunction has occurred due to a failure or misuse) in the past, is often performed as well. The game terminal of the typical conventional casino game system detects, by means of a detection unit, detected information necessary for processing each of the aforementioned processes. The process execution unit that executes the aforementioned processes based on the detected information is provided in the server device. This is because all the functions except for the user interfaces and communication with the server are centralized in the server device as mentioned above. Therefore, in such a conventional thin-client type game system, the detected information always needs to be transmitted from the game terminal to the server device before the process execution unit provided in the server device executes any process. Transmission of such detected information increases the communication data volume between each game terminal and the server device, which would significantly degrade the performance of the overall system.

In the present casino game system, both the detection unit for detecting the detected information, and the process execution unit for processing a detection result (the detection result information process) from the detection unit by executing a program for processing the detected information, are provided in the game terminal. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit the detected information from the game terminal to the server device when the process execution unit executes the process. This reduces the communication data volume between the game terminal and the server device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a casino game system is provided in which a server device that stores at least one game program, and a plurality of game terminals, are connected so as to allow two-way communication therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of game terminals comprises:

an operation accepting unit for accepting a game selection operation and a game operation in a game in progress from a player;

a terminal communication processing unit for transmitting game selection operation information that identifies a game program specified by the game selection operation, and for receiving from the server device the game program corresponding to the game selection operation information;

a control unit for executing the game program received by the terminal communication processing unit, and for controlling game data of a game executed based on the game program in accordance with the game operation information;

a display unit for displaying a game image based on image information included in the game data;

a detection unit for detecting detected information other than the game selection operation information and the game operation information; and

a process execution unit for processing the detected information.

In addition, the server device comprises:

a storage unit for storing the at least one game program; and

a server communication processing unit for reading out the game program corresponding to the game selection operation information transmitted from each of the plurality of game terminals, and for transmitting the read-out game program to each of the plurality of game terminals that is a source of the game selection operation information.

This casino game system is a download type casino game system. In the download type casino game system, the server device stores a plurality of game programs. Each game terminal downloads a game program that the player has selected from the server device and executes that game program. It is necessary to transmit game program information having a large amount of data from the server device to each game terminal in such a download type casino game system. This is likely to result in the performance degradation of the overall system due to a large amount of data communication between each game terminal and the sever device. Similar to the thin-client type game system, both the detection unit for detecting the detected information, and the process execution unit for processing a detection result at the detection unit (the detection result information process) by executing a program for processing the detected information, are also provided in the game terminal in this casino game system. Therefore, it is not necessary to transmit the detected information from the game terminal to the server device in order for the process execution unit to execute the process. This reduces the communication data volume between the game terminal and the server device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a casino game terminal is provided that is connected to a server device that executes at least one game program so as to allow a two-way communication therewith, the casino game terminal comprising:

an operation accepting unit for accepting a game selection operation and a game operation in a game in progress from a player;

a terminal communication processing unit for receiving game data of a game initiated upon execution of a game program by the server device, and for transmitting game selection operation information that identifies the game program specified by the game selection operation, and game operation information that identifies the game operation to the server device;

a display unit for displaying a game image based on image information included in the game data received by the terminal communication processing unit;

a detection unit for detecting detected information other than the game selection operation information and the game operation information; and

a process execution unit for processing the detected information.

Because this game terminal can be used as a game terminal in the casino game system of the first aspect of the present invention, the communication data volume is reduced between the game terminal and the server device in the thin-client type game system.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the casino game terminal according to the third aspect further comprises:

a deposit accepting unit for accepting a deposit; and

a credit storage unit for storing credit data that indicates an amount of credit.

Here, the detected information is information on the amount of the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit, and the process execution unit adds a number of credits that is equivalent to the amount of the deposit detected by the detection unit to credit data stored in the credit storage unit.

Generally, deposit amount information (detected information) accepted by the deposit accepting unit is frequently transmitted to the process execution unit that performs a credit adding process (the detection result information process) because the deposit is often accepted. Therefore, if the process execution unit that performs the credit adding process is provided in the server device, the communication data volume between the server device and the game terminal will inevitably increase considerably. Because the game terminal is provided in the process execution unit in the present invention, it does not have to communicate with the server device when transmitting the deposit amount information (detected information) accepted by the deposit accepting unit to the process execution unit. Thus, the game terminal of the present invention does not have to transmit a large amount of deposit amount information (detected information) to the server device. Consequently the communication data volume can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the casino game terminal according to the third aspect further comprises a deposit accepting unit for accepting a deposit. The detected information is deposit authentication determining information for determining whether or not the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit is authentic, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit is authentic based on the deposit authentication determining information detected by the detection unit.

Generally, the deposit authentication determining information (detected information) detected by the detection unit is frequently transmitted to the process execution unit because the deposit is often accepted. Here, the process execution unit executes a deposit determination process (detection result information process) in which it will be determined whether or not a deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit is authentic. Therefore, if the process execution unit that performs the deposit determination process is provided in the server device, the communication data volume between the server device and the game terminal will inevitably increase considerably. Because the game terminal is provided with the process execution unit in the present invention, it does not have to communicate with the server device when transmitting the deposit authentication determining information (detected information) detected by the detection unit to the process execution unit. Thus, the game terminal of the present invention does not have to transmit a large amount of deposit authentication determining information (detected information) to the server device. Consequently, the communication data volume can be reduced.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, he casino game terminal according to the third aspect further comprises an identification information receiving unit for receiving a player's identification information. Here, the detected information is identification information determining information for determining whether or not the player's identification information received by the identification information receiving unit is adequate, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the player's identification information received by the identification information receiving unit is adequate based on the identification information determining information detected by the detection unit.

Generally, the game terminal provided with the identification information receiving unit that receives player identification information frequently receives player identification information. Therefore, identification information determining information (detected information) detected by the detection unit is frequently transmitted to the process execution unit. Here, the process execution unit performs an identification information determining process (detection result information process) in which it is determined whether or not the player's identification information is adequate. Therefore, if the process execution unit that performs the identification information determining process is provided in the server device, the communication data volume between the server device and the game terminal will inevitably increase considerably. Because the game terminal is provided with the process execution unit in the present invention, it does not have to communicate with the server device when transmitting the identification information determining information (detected information) detected by the detection unit to the process execution unit. Thus, the game terminal of the present invention does not have to transmit a large amount of identification information determining information (detected information) to the server device. Consequently, the communication data volume can be reduced.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the casino game terminal according to the third aspect, the detected information is performance malfunction determining information for determining whether or not the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction based on the performance malfunction determining information detected by the detection unit.

The game terminal performs, based on the performance malfunction determining information, a performance malfunction determining process in which it is determined whether or not the game terminal is malfunctioning. If the malfunction determining process is to be performed accurately, the performance malfunction determining information needs to be frequently detected. Accordingly, the performance malfunction determining information (detected information) must be frequently transmitted to the process execution unit for the purpose of better accuracy in the performance malfunction determining process. Here, the process execution unit executes the performance malfunction determining process (detection result information process). Therefore, if the process execution unit that performs the performance malfunction determining process is provided in the server device, the communication data volume between the server device and the game terminal will inevitably increase. Because the game terminal is provided in the process execution unit in the present invention, it does not have to communicate with the server device when transmitting the performance malfunction determining information (detected information) detected by the detection unit to the process execution unit. Thus, the game terminal of the present invention does not have to transmit a large amount of performance malfunction determining information (detected information) to the server device. Consequently, the communication data volume can be reduced.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the casino game terminal according to the third aspect, the detected information is performance malfunction information indicating that the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction, and the process execution unit performs a resetting process for correcting the performance malfunction based on the performance malfunction information detected by the detection unit.

The game terminal performs a resetting process in which the performance malfunction is corrected based on the performance malfunction information. Generally, if the resetting process is to be performed properly, the performance malfunction information needs to be detected frequently. Accordingly, the performance malfunction information (detected information) detected by the detection unit must be frequently transmitted to the process execution unit in order to provide an adequate resetting process. Here, the process execution unit executes the resetting process (detection result information process). Therefore, if the process execution unit that performs the resetting process is provided in the server device, the communication data volume between the server device and the game terminal will inevitably increase. Because the game terminal is provided in the process execution unit in the present invention, it does not have to communicate with the server device when transmitting the performance malfunction information (detected information) detected by the detection unit to the process execution unit. Thus, the game terminal of the present invention does not have to transmit a large amount of performance malfunction information (detected information) to the server device. Consequently, the communication data volume can be reduced.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the casino game terminal according to the third aspect further comprises a history storage unit for storing performance status history that indicates the casino game terminal was in a specific performance status in the past. Here, the detected information is performance status information for indicating that the casino game terminal is in the specific performance status, and the process execution unit stores in the history storage unit the performance status history corresponding to the specific performance status indicated by the performance status information detected by the detection unit.

The game terminal performs a history storing process in which a performance status history corresponding to a specific performance status indicated by the performance status information is stored in the history storage unit. Here, the performance status information that indicates the game terminal is in a specific performance status must be frequently detected depending on the performance status from which the history is obtained. Consequently, the performance status information (detected information) detected by the detection unit will be more frequently transmitted to the process execution unit. Here, the process execution unit executes the history storing process (the detection result information process). Therefore, if the process execution unit is provided in the server device, the communication data volume between the server device and the game terminal will inevitably increase. Because the game terminal is provided in the process execution unit in the present invention, it does not have to communicate with the server device when transmitting the performance status information (detected information) detected by the detection unit to the process execution unit. Thus, the game terminal of the present invention does not have to transmit a large amount of performance status information (detected information) to the server device. Consequently, the communication data volume can be reduced.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the casino game terminal according to the ninth aspect, the specific performance status is a performance status based on a performance malfunction of the casino game terminal.

In this game terminal, the performance status history based on a malfunction of the terminal may be obtained. This history is also advantageously used for proper management of the casino.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the casino game terminal according to the ninth aspect, the specific performance status is a performance status when a game progress status is in a specific progress status based on the game program.

This game terminal may obtain a history when the game progress status reaches a specific state. This is advantageously used, for example, in order to provide a service in which this history is shown to a player so that the player can decide at which terminal he/she is going to play a game.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a casino game terminal is provided that is connected to a server device that stores at least one game program so as to allow a two-way communication therewith, the casino game terminal comprising:

an operation accepting unit for accepting a game selection operation and a game operation in a game in progress from a player;

a terminal communication processing unit for transmitting game selection operation information that identifies a game program specified by the game selection operation, and for receiving the game program corresponding to the game selection operation information from the server device;

a control unit for executing the game program received by the terminal communication processing unit, and for controlling game data of a game executed based on the game program in accordance with the game operation information;

a display unit for displaying a game image based on image information included in the game data;

a detection unit for detecting detected information other than the game selection operation information and the game operation information; and

a process execution unit for processing the detected information.

Because this game terminal can be used as a game terminal in the casino game system of the second aspect of the present invention, the communication data volume can be reduced between the game terminal and the server device in the thin-client type game system.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the casino game terminal according to the twelfth aspect further comprises:

a deposit accepting unit for accepting a deposit; and

a credit storage unit for storing credit data that indicates an amount of credit;

Here, the detected information is information on the amount of the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit, and the process execution unit adds a number of credits equivalent to the amount of the deposit detected by the detection unit to credit data stored in the credit storage unit.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the casino game terminal according to the twelfth aspect further comprises a deposit accepting unit for accepting a deposit. Here, the detected information is deposit authentication determining information for determining whether or not the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit is authentic, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit is authentic based on the deposit authentication determining information detected by the detection unit.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the casino game terminal according to the twelfth aspect further comprises an identification information receiving unit for receiving player identification information. Here, the detected information is identification information determining information for determining whether or not the player identification information received by the identification information receiving unit is adequate, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the player identification information received by the identification information receiving unit is adequate based on the identification information determining information detected by the detection unit.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the casino game terminal according to the twelfth aspect, the detected information is performance malfunction determining information for determining whether or not the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction based on the performance malfunction determining information detected by the detection unit.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the casino game terminal according to the twelfth aspect, the detected information is performance malfunction information indicating that the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction, and the process execution unit performs a resetting process for correcting the performance malfunction based on the performance malfunction information detected by the detection unit.

According to a eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the casino game terminal according to the twelfth aspect further comprises a history storage unit for storing performance status history that indicates the casino game terminal was in a specific performance status in the past. Here, the detected information is performance status information for indicating that the casino game terminal is in the specific performance status, and the process execution unit stores in the history storage unit the performance status history corresponding to the specific performance status that the performance indicated by the performance status information detected by the detection unit.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the casino game terminal according to the eighteenth aspect, the specific performance status is a performance status based on a performance malfunction of the casino game terminal.

According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the casino game terminal according to the eighteenth aspect, the specific performance status is a performance status when a game progress status is in a specific progress status based on the game program.

The present invention provides a casino game system comprising the server device and a plurality of game terminals which can minimize its overall performance degradation, and a casino game terminal that can be used in this casino game system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a casino game system according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a server of the casino game system;

FIG. 3 is an exterior view of a game terminal of the casino game system;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a main control board of the game terminal;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a sub-control board of the game terminal;

FIG. 6 is a sequence flow diagram showing the process flow when a player plays a game on the game terminal;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the flow of a slot game based on a game program executed by the server;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of a pattern of static symbols when determining a win in the slot game;

FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a casino game system according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 10 is a sequence flow diagram showing the process flow when a player plays a game on a game terminal of the casino game system;

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a casino game system according to Alternative Embodiment 1;

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a casino game system according to Alternative Embodiment 2;

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a casino game system according to Alternative Embodiment 3;

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a casino game system according to Alternative Embodiment 4; and

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a casino game system according to Alternative Embodiment 5 and Alternative Embodiment 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1

Now, one embodiment of the present invention where the present invention is applied to a casino game system for a licensed casino facility (hereinafter referred to as “Embodiment 1”) will be explained. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of the casino game system according to Embodiment 1. This casino game system is a thin-client type game system that is comprised of a plurality of game terminals 1 having no system board, and a server device 50 storing multiple kinds of game programs. In other words, a game based on a game program executed in the server device 50 can be played at each game terminal 1.

The game terminal 1 acts as an interface for a player when playing the game, and is installed on a casino floor where the players actually play the game. On the other hand, the server device 50 is installed in a security room, for example, where entry by the players is not permitted. This security room is strictly managed by a casino operator. Each game terminal 1 and the server device 50 are connected via a communication network so as to allow two-way communication therebetween. When all or a portion of the functional elements of the server device 50 are installed in a location away from the casino, they may be connected to the server device via a public telephone line, dedicated telephone line, communication network implemented by a wireless communication line, etc.

Configuration of the Server Device 50

First, the server device 50 of the casino game system will be explained. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the server device 50 according to Embodiment 1. The server device 50 comprises a CPU 51, RAM 52, ROM 53, system bus 54, information storage device 55, input device 56, output device 57, server communication device 58, etc. Elements such as CPU 51 and RAM 52 exchange data and program instructions and the like with each other via the system bus 54. A program for operating the server device 50 in accordance with a predetermined sequence is stored in the ROM 53 and information storage unit 55, and called up to a working area in the CPU 51 and RAM 52 and executed as necessary. The information storage device 55 stores multiple kinds of game programs A, B, C and so on that can be played selectively on the game terminal 1. A new game program can be added to the information storage device 55 or an existing game program can be deleted therefrom by the casino operating staff operating the input device 56. These game programs may include a game program for a slot machine and a game program for a table game such as black jack and poker, but is not limited thereto.

When the server device 50 receives game selection operation information from the game terminal 1 as explained later, the CPU 51 executes a game program specified by the game selection operation information. Image and audio information according to the progress of the game is created by the executed game program and is transmitted from the server communication device 58 to the game terminal 1, i.e., the source of the game selection operation information. When the game terminal 1 receives the image and audio information, a game display based on the image information and sound effects based on the audio information are outputted. When the player performs game operation to the game terminal, the game operation information is transmitted to the server device 50. The CPU 51 of the server device 50 that has received the game operation information changes the progress of the game based on the game operation information. This allows the player to play the game that progresses in accordance with the game program executed by the server device 50 on the game terminal 1.

Note that the server device 50 may be configured as a dedicated control device or may be configured using a general computer system. Also, it may be configured with a single computer or with a plurality of computers connected via a network, each of the plurality of computers being equipped with each of a plurality of functions.

Configuration of the Game Terminal 1

Next, the game terminal 1 of the casino game system will be explained. FIG. 3 is a perspective exterior view of the game terminal 1 according to Embodiment 1. The game terminal 1 has a box-shape case 2, front panel 3 attached to the front side of the case 2 such that it can be opened and closed, and so on. Provided on the front panel 3 are a display window 4 for visibly checking a monitor 11, a coin slot 5 a and bill slot 5 b, a spin button 6 a, a credit payoff button 6 b, BET buttons 7 a and 7 b used to play a game after a player has inserted coins into the game terminal, a game selection button 8, a coin receiving tray 9 having a coin payout outlet 9 a, lamps 10 a and 10 b, etc. The spin button 6 a, credit payoff button 6 b, BET buttons 7 a and 7 b, and game selection button 8 are lamp buttons that include a light emitter.

The monitor 11 is arranged inside the game terminal 1. This monitor 11 displays a game display based on the image information of a game display transmitted from the server device 50. In the case of a slot game, for example, a plurality of the same or different symbols that are to be arranged in a predetermined arrangement are respectively displayed in five symbol display areas 11 a. The monitor 11 is configured with a CRT display but may also be configured with a plasma display, liquid crystal display, and the like. Also, the monitor 11 is provided with a credit display unit 11 b, bet display unit 11 c, and winning money display unit 11 d above the five symbol display areas 11 a. The credit display unit 11 b displays the number of credits equivalent to the amount of money that the player has inputted into the coin slot 5 a or bill slot 5 b (deposit amount). The bet display unit 11 c displays a bet that the player has placed using the BET buttons 7 a and 7 b. The winning money display unit 11 d displays the amount of money that the player has won in accordance with the results of a game. The game terminal 1 also internally includes a detection device for detecting whether or not inputted coins and bills are counterfeit, a coin payout device having a hopper capable of holding a large number of coins (not shown), a speaker that serves as a sound output unit, etc. Note, however, that a control unit that executes a game program and progresses the game is not provided in the game terminal 1 but rather in the server device 50 as mentioned earlier.

A card slot 13 for inserting a house card as a portable recording medium used at the casino, and a display device 14, are provided at the upper part of the game terminal 1. The house card manages personal information that the player has registered at the casino reception and the like. An ID, or unique player identification information for each player, is stored in the house card. The house card is also used by the server device 50 and the like to manage points given to the player in accordance with the amount of money he/she has spent for the game. This makes it easier to award privileges to a player, such as a hotel voucher based on the points. The points that the player has earned, etc. are displayed on the display device 14.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a main control board 20 of the game terminal 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a sub-control board 30 of the game terminal 1. An input/output port 21 a of the main control board 20 is used in order to communicate with the sub-control board 30. An input/output port 21 b of the main control board 20 is used in order to communicate with the monitor 11, lamps 10 a and 10 b, speaker 15, various buttons 6 a, 6 b, 7 a 7 b and 8, and coin payout device 16. An external input/output port 21 c of the main control board 20 is used in order to communicate with the server device 50 via the communication network. Various programs, such as a communication program that are executed by a CPU 21, are stored in a ROM 22 and are outputted to the CPU 21. Note, however, that no game program is stored in the ROM 22. A RAM 23 temporarily stores the processing results and the like of the CPU 21. A video driver 25 controls the display of the monitor 11 under the control of the CPU 21. A light control unit 26 controls the lighting of the lamps 10 a and 10 b under the control of the CPU 21. A sound control unit 27 controls audio announcements and sound effects and the like that the speaker 15 outputs under the control of the CPU 21. A payout control unit 28 controls the coin payout device 16 so that coins are paid out from the coin payout outlet 9 a to the coin receiving tray 9 under the control of the CPU 21. The CPU 21 of the main control board 20 is also connected to the spin button 6 a, credit payoff button 6 b, BET buttons 7 a and 7 b, and game selection button 8, and receives operation signals from the input/output port 21 b. In addition, the CPU 21 is also connected to a deposit amount counting device (not shown) that counts the amount of money inserted into the coin slot 5 a and bill slot 5 b.

The sub-control board 30 comprises a CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, card reader 34, display driver 24, input/output ports 36 a and 36 b, etc. The ROM 32 stores data such as various programs, various databases, etc. used by the CPU 31, which are outputted to the CPU 31. The RAM 33 temporarily stores the processing results and the like of the CPU 31. The card reader 34 reads out an ID stored in a house card that is inserted in the card slot 13 and outputs the ID to the CPU 31. The display driver 35 controls the display of the display device 14 under the control of the CPU 31. The input/output port 36 a is used for communicating data with the main control board 20. The input/output port 36 b is used for communication with the display device 14.

As shown in the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, the game terminal 1 according to Embodiment 1 mainly comprises an operation accepting unit 41, a terminal communication processing unit 42, a display unit 43, a deposit accepting unit 44, a deposit amount detection unit 45, a credit process execution unit 46, and a credit storage unit 47. The operation accepting unit 41 comprises the spin button 6 a, credit payoff button 6 b, BET buttons 7 a and 7 b, game selection button 8, etc. When a button is operated by the player, an operation signal is transmitted from the input/output port 21 b to the CPU 21 of the main control board 20. A game selection operation for selecting a game program to be executed by the server device 50 is also included in this operation. The terminal communication processing unit 42 allows a two-way communication with the server device 50, and mainly comprises the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, external input/output port 21 c, etc. of the main control board 20. When the operation accepting unit 41 accepts a game selection operation, which will be described later, the terminal communication processing unit 42 performs a transmission process in order to transmit game selection operation information for specifying a game program to be executed by the server device 50 to the server device 50. When the operation accepting unit 41 accepts various game operations, the terminal communication processing unit 42 transmits the game operation information corresponding to the accepted game operation to the server device 50. Here, the game operation information is used for control, such as to change the progress of the game in accordance with the game program being executed by the server device 50. The terminal communication processing unit 42 performs a receiving process in order to receive the image and audio information in accordance with the progress of the game based on the game program being executed by the server device 50.

The display unit 43 comprises the CPUs 21 and 31, ROMs 22 and 23, RAM 23, 33, video driver 25, display driver 35, monitor 11, display device 14, etc. The display unit 43 displays game images on the monitor 11 and display device 14 based on the image information that the terminal communication processing unit 42 has received. The display unit 43 displays a game selection display on the monitor 11, which will be described later. The deposit accepting unit 44 is comprised of the coin slot 5 a and bill slot 5 b. The deposit amount detection unit 45 comprises the deposit amount counting device (not shown) that counts an amount of money inputted to the coin slot 5 a and bill slot 5 b that constitute the deposit accepting unit 44. In Embodiment 1, the deposit amount detection unit 45 acts as a detection unit that detects deposit amount information that the deposit accepting unit 44 has received as detected information. The credit process execution unit 46 mainly comprises the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, etc. of the main control board 20. This credit process execution unit 46 performs a credit adding process in which the number of credits equivalent to the deposit amount detected by the deposit amount detection unit 45 are added to the credit data stored in the credit storage unit 47. The credit adding process is executed by the CPU 21 executing a credit processing program stored in the ROM 22. Here, the credit adding process is a detection result information process. The credit storage unit 47 mainly comprises the RAM 23. The credit data indicating the amount of credit is stored in a credit storage region of the RAM 23. This credit data is used as the subject of a bet that is placed in a slot game, poker game and the like provided by the game program executed by the server device 50, and as the subject of a payout that is paid to the player in accordance with the game result.

On the other hand, the server device 50 mainly comprises a storage unit 61, a control unit 62, and a server communication processing unit 63. The information storage unit 61 comprises the RAM 52, ROM 53, information storage device 55, and stores multiple kinds of game programs A, B, C and so on. The control unit 62 comprises the CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, system bus 54, etc., and is capable of executing at least two game programs simultaneously. When the server communication processing unit 63 receives game selection operation information from the game terminal 1, the control unit 62 reads out a game program specified by the game selection operation information from the storage unit 61 and executes it. At this time, if the control unit 62 receives game selection operation information from one game terminal 1 when another game program of another game terminal 1 is being executed, the control unit 62 executes the former game program while continuing the execution of the latter game program. Also, the control unit 62 transmits, via the server communication processing unit 63, the image and audio information in accordance with the progress of the game to the game terminal 1, which is the source of the game selection operation information. When the server communication processing unit 63 receives the game operation information, the control unit 62 changes the progress of the game based on the game operation information. The terminal communication processing unit 63 allows two-way communication with the game terminal 1, and mainly comprises the CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, system bus 54, and server communication device 58. The server communication processing unit 63 receives the game selection operation information and game operation information that are transmitted from the game terminal 1. The server communication processing unit 63 also transmits the image and audio information in accordance with the progress of the game based on the game program that the control unit 62 is executing.

Next, the process flow when a player plays a game on the game terminal 1 will be explained. FIG. 6 is a sequence flow diagram showing the flow of the process when a player plays the game on the game terminal. When the player is about to start playing the game on one game terminal 1, the monitor 11 of that game terminal 1 is usually displaying the display of the preceding game played on that game terminal 1. The player can choose to play that game or to play another kind of game that is stored in the storage unit 61 of the server device 50. When the player chooses to play another kind of game, the player first performs an operation in the operation accepting unit 41 in order to call up a game selection display. Upon this operation, the CPU 21 of the game terminal 1 executes a game selection program, reads out game selection display information stored in the ROM 22 and RAM 23, and displays the game selection display on the monitor 11. Note that a configuration in which the game selection display information is stored in each game terminal 1 is explained in Embodiment 1, but it may be stored in the server device 50 instead. If the game selection display information is stored in the server device 50, the management efficiency will improve because all the game selection display information can be centrally managed. For example, when adding a new game program or deleting an existing game program, all that has to be done is to change the game selection display information stored in the server device 50. In this way, the changes can be made easily.

A list of available games for the player on the game terminal 1 is displayed on the game selection display. The player then views the game selection display, and, by operating the game selection button 8, performs the game selection operation on the operation accepting unit 41 in order to select a game that the player wishes to play. The game selection operation information corresponding to that operation is transmitted from the terminal communication processing unit 42 to the server device 50. Here, a case where the player has selected a slot game is taken as an example. When the server communication processing unit 63 of the server device 50 receives this game selection operation information, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 reads out the game program corresponding to the game selection operation information among multiple kinds of game programs that are stored in the storage unit 61. Then, the slot game begins on the game terminal 1 that is the source of the game selection operation information.

The control unit 62 of the server device 50 transmits, via a server communication processing unit 63, the image information in accordance with the progress of the executed game program to the game terminal 1 that is the source of the game selection operation information. The game terminal 1 that has received this image information with its terminal communication processing unit 42 displays the game display on the display unit 43 based on the image information. This allows the player to play the slot game that the player has selected.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the flow of the slot game based on the game program executed by the server device 50. First, when the deposit accepting unit 44 accepts a deposit, e.g., when a coin or bill (not shown) is inserted into the coin slot 5 a or bill slot 5 b of the game terminal 1, information on the amount of the accepted deposit (detected information) is detected by the deposit amount detection unit 45. Thereafter, the credit process execution unit 46 performs a credit adding process as the detection result information process, in which the number of credits equivalent to the deposit amount detected by the deposit amount detection unit 45 are added to the credit data stored in the credit storage unit 47.

After deciding an amount to bet, the player operates the BET buttons 7 a and 7 b of the game terminal 1 in order to place the bet (S1). When the operation accepting unit 41 receives this bet operation (game operation), the bet operation information (game operation information) is transmitted to the server device 50 from the terminal communication processing unit 42. When the server communication processing unit 63 of the server device 50 receives this bet operation information, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 changes the progress of the slot game according to the bet operation information. In other words, the game status is changed where the spin button 6 a can accept a spin operation (game operation).

Specifically, the control unit 62 creates image information based on the bet operation information, and transmits it to the game terminal 1 from the server communication processing unit 63. When the terminal communication processing unit 42 of the game terminal 1 receives this image information, the amount of the bet according to the bet operation information is displayed on the bet display unit 11 c. When the operation accepting unit 41 accepts the bet operation, the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 of the game terminal 1 performs a process in which the number of credits according to the bet operation is reduced from the credit data of the RAM 23 (S2).

Thereafter, when the player operates the spin button 6 a of the game terminal 1 (S3), the operation accepting unit 41 accepts that spin operation (game operation). Then, the spin operation information (game operation information) is transmitted to the server device 50 from the terminal communication processing unit 42. When the server communication processing unit 63 of the server device 50 receives this spin operation information, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 changes the progress of the slot game according to the spin operation information. For example, the symbols displayed on the five symbol display areas 11 a of the display unit 43 are symbols that are changed randomly one after another. Specifically, image information for changing the symbols to be displayed on the five symbol display areas 11 a one after another is transmitted from the server communication processing unit 63 to the game terminal 1. On the game terminal 1 that has received this image information with its terminal communication processing unit 42, the symbols are displayed randomly on the five symbol display areas 11 a in accordance with the received image information (S4).

When the server communication processing unit 63 receives the spin operation information, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 generates five random numbers (S5), and performs a process in which the symbols to be displayed statically in the symbol display areas 11 a are determined. Specifically, the control unit 62 compares the five generated random numbers with their respective stoppage position tables. The stoppage position table is provided for each symbol display area 11 a. Based on each of the random numbers and stoppage position tables, the control unit 62 determines the stoppage position in the symbol display areas 11 a of each of the symbols that have been displayed randomly.

Further, when the server communication processing unit 63 receives the spin operation information, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 compares a combination of the five random numbers with a win determination table, and performs a prize drawing process which determines whether or not any prizes have been won (S6). In Embodiment 1, the prizes are mainly categorized as prizes which award the player predetermined credits, and prizes which allow the player to play an event, bonus game, and feature game that are categorized in a special game status. Then, based on the combination of the random numbers, and the win determination table, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 determines which prize the player has won from the current slot game, or that no prize has been won. In the following explanation, the former prize is taken as an example.

In Embodiment 1, each win determination table is made to determine a win when a symbol corresponding to one prize is displayed statically in any one of the symbol displaying areas and in its adjacent symbol displaying areas, in relation to the stoppage position table. In other words, an arrangement pattern of the symbols displayed statically in all of the symbol display areas 11 a is determined by the five generated random numbers and the stoppage position tables. A winning prize is determined by comparing a combination of symbols that are displayed statically in any one of the symbol display areas 11 a and its adjacent symbol display areas with the win determination table. For example, when the symbols displayed in the adjacent symbol display areas are in a predetermined arrangement, a prize is won.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing one example of a pattern of the symbols statically displayed when determining a win. In this example, five prizes are won. For the purpose of explanation, the five symbol display areas 11 a are referred to, from left to right in FIG. 8, a first symbol display area, second symbol display area, third symbol display area, fourth symbol display area, and fifth symbol display area. As mentioned above, if the symbol corresponding to one same prize is displayed statically on any one of the symbol display areas and its adjacent symbol display areas, a prize will be won.

With reference to FIG. 8, all of the symbol display areas have a “1st” symbol statically displayed thereon. Therefore, the “First” prize corresponding to the five “1st” symbols is won. Meanwhile, a “W” symbol is statically displayed on the second symbol display area. Here, a “W” symbol can be treated as a “1st” symbol. Therefore, similar to the aforementioned case, another “First” prize corresponding to the five “1st” symbols is won. All of the symbol display areas have a “K” symbol statically displayed thereon. Therefore, the “King” prize corresponding to the five “K” symbols is won. Meanwhile, a “W” symbol is statically displayed on the second symbol display area. This “W” symbol can be treated as a “K” symbol. Therefore, similar to the aforementioned case, the “King” prize corresponding to the five “K” symbols is won. Furthermore, a “2nd” symbol is statically displayed in the third and fourth symbol display areas, and a “W” symbol is statically displayed in the second symbol display area. Because a “W” symbol can also be treated as “2nd” symbol, the “Second” prize corresponding to three “2nd” symbols is won. Note that a prize will be won only when more than three adjacent symbol display areas display a symbol corresponding to the same prize in Embodiment 1. Therefore, with reference to FIG. 8, although an “A” symbol is statically displayed in the first and second symbol display areas, because neither an “A” nor a “W” symbol is displayed in the third symbol display area, this does not constitute the “Ace” prize. Of course, the number of adjacent symbol display areas with the same symbol to win a prize may be set to be more than two or four instead of three. In Embodiment 1, even a prize corresponding to the same symbol may be treated as a different prize if the number of the same symbols is different. More specifically, even for a prize corresponding to a “1st” symbol, the “First” prize corresponding to three “1st” symbols, the “First” prize corresponding to four “1st” symbols, and the “First” prize corresponding to five “1st” symbols are considered to be different prizes. Accordingly, the dividend amount will be different for each prize. The more symbols there are, the bigger the dividend will become.

In Embodiment 1, the prize is won when a symbol corresponding to one prize is statically displayed in any one of the symbol display areas and in its adjacent areas, but the method for determining a win is not limited thereto. A typical slot game may be employed in which a prize is won when the same symbol is displayed statically on a prize-winning line that lies across all of the symbol display areas, as well as various kinds of slot games.

When the prize drawing process has thus been completed, and after a predetermined time period has elapsed since the spin operation information was received, the control unit 62 of the server device 50 changes the progress of the slot game so that the random display of symbols in the symbol display areas 11 a is stopped at a stoppage position determined by the five random numbers and the stoppage position tables. Specifically, image information for stopping the random display of the five symbol display areas 11 a is transmitted from the server communication processing unit 63 to the game terminal 1. When the terminal communication processing unit 42 of the game terminal 1 receives the image information, the random display of the five symbol display areas 11 a is stopped according to the received image information (S7).

On the other hand, if, in the prize drawing process, a prize in which predetermined credits will be awarded to the player is decided (S8), the control unit 62 of the server device 50 transmits prize winning information that indicates the winning of the prize from the server communication processing unit 63 to the game terminal. When the terminal communication processing unit 42 of the game terminal receives this prize winning information, the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 performs a process for paying out the dividend (S9). Specifically, the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 performs a pay out process in which credits according to the winning prize are added to the credit data stored in the RAM 23. Also included in the prize winning information of Embodiment 1 is information regarding a lamp control instruction and sound effects. Therefore, when the terminal communication processing unit of the game terminal receives the prize winning information, the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 outputs a control instruction to the light control unit 26 in accordance with the lamp control instruction. In this way, the light control unit 26 performs a lighting process in which the lamp buttons provided with the light emitter such as the lamps 10 a and 10 b, spin button 6 a, credit payoff button 6 b, BET buttons 7 a and 7 b, game selection button 8, etc. that are left on are made to flash with a flashing pattern in accordance with the control instruction. Also, the CPU 21 of the main control board 20 transmits sound effect information to the sound control unit 27. Then, the sound control 27 pauses the music that has been outputted from the speaker 15 as accompanying music, and outputs the sound effects from the speaker 15. In this way, the various lamp buttons of the game terminal 1 are flashed and sound effects are outputted from the speaker 15.

When the player playing the slot game explained above on the game terminal 1 feels like playing another game, the player will perform an operation to call up the game selection display to the operation accepting unit 41. The game selection display will thus be displayed on the monitor 11 as described above. The player can play another game after selecting the game by operating the game selection button 8.

According to Embodiment 1, the game terminal 1 is provided with the credit process execution unit 46 that performs a credit adding process (detection result information process), and the credit storage unit 47. Therefore, no communication is necessary between the game terminal 1 and the server device 50 when the credits equivalent of a deposit amount (detected information) that is accepted with the deposit accepting unit 44 of each game terminal 1 are stored in the credit storage unit 47. This reduces the communication data volume between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50, and minimizes the performance degradation of the overall casino game system, compared to a configuration in which the credit process execution unit 46 and the credit storage unit 47 are provided in the server device 50.

Embodiment 2

Next, another embodiment will be explained in which the present invention is applied to the casino game system similar to that of Embodiment 1 (hereinafter referred to as “Embodiment 2”). FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of the casino game system according to Embodiment 2. This casino game system is a download type game system. The server device 50 stores multiple kinds of game programs. Each game terminal 1 downloads a game program that the player has selected from the server device 50 and executes it. Each game terminal 1 is installed on a casino floor where the players actually play the game. The server device 50 is installed in a security room as in the case of Embodiment 1. Each game terminal 1 and the server device 50 are connected via a communication network so as to allow two-way communication therebetween. When some or all of the functional elements of the server device 50 are installed at a location away from the casino, they may be connected to the server device via a public telephone line, dedicated telephone line, communication network achieved by a wireless communication line, etc. The hardware configurations of the game terminal 1 and the server device 50 are almost identical to those described in Embodiment 1 so the explanation therefor is omitted.

The game terminal 1 according to Embodiment 2 comprises a control unit 70 in addition to the operation accepting unit 41, terminal communication processing unit 42, display unit 43, deposit accepting unit 44, deposit amount detection unit 45, credit process execution unit 46, and the credit storage unit 47 that the game terminal 1 of Embodiment 1 also comprises. The terminal communication processing unit 42 of Embodiment 2 transmits the game selection operation information to the server device 50 after the operation accepting unit 41 has accepted the game selection operation. The game selection operation information specifies the kind of game program to be downloaded from the server device 50. The terminal communication processing unit 42 also receives the game program corresponding to the game selection operation information. The control unit 70 executes the game program that the terminal communication processing unit 42 has received and, changes the progress of the game based on the game operation information. The game operation information is generated when the operation accepting unit 41 accepts the game operation from the player. The control unit 70 also performs control by which game images are displayed on the monitor 11 and display device 14 in accordance with the game progress, and sounds for the sound effects are outputted from the speaker 15. In other words, the control unit 70 of Embodiment 2 controls the progress of the game in a similar manner to the control unit 62 of Embodiment 1.

In Embodiment 2, the control unit 70 provided for each game terminal only has to be capable of executing a single game program, and does not have to be capable of executing a plurality of game programs in parallel as the control unit 62 provided in the server device in Embodiment 1 does. Because the casino game system of Embodiment 1 is a thin-client type, the control unit 62 provided in the server device must be able to execute a plurality of game programs in parallel. Therefore, the processing ability required from the control unit 70 according to Embodiment 2 is much less than the processing ability required from the control unit 62 of Embodiment 1. Therefore, the control unit 70 of Embodiment 2 can be constructed at a much lower cost than the control unit 62 of Embodiment 1.

A typical conventional game system comprises a plurality of independent game machines (self-contained real game devices) each of which executes a particular game program. In the casino game system of Embodiment 1, on the other hand, many of the functions that were conventionally provided in a game machine are omitted from each game terminal 1, and are centralized in the server device 50. This dramatically reduces the costs for each game terminal 1, thus reducing the cost of the entire system. With the casino system of Embodiment 2, it is possible to reduce costs as much as the casino system of Embodiment 1 does.

The control unit 62 is included in the server device 50 of Embodiment 1, but is not included in the server device 50 of Embodiment 2. In other words, the server device 50 of Embodiment 2 is not equipped with the function of executing the game program and controlling the progress of the game. When the server communication processing unit 63 of Embodiment 2 receives the game selection operation information transmitted from each game terminal 1, the server communication processing unit 63 reads out the game program specified by the game selection operation information from the storage unit 61, and transmits it to the game terminal 1 that is the source of the game selection operation information.

Next, the process flow when a player plays a game on the game terminal 1 will be explained. FIG. 10 is a sequence flow diagram showing a flow of process when the player plays the game on the game terminal 1. When the player is about to start playing the game at one game terminal 1, the monitor 11 of that game terminal 1 is usually displaying the display of the preceding game that was played on the game terminal 1. The player can choose to play that game or to play another kind of game that is stored in the storage unit 61 of the server device 50. Similar to Embodiment 1, when the player chooses to play another kind of game, the player will perform an operation to call up the game selection display to the operation accepting unit 41. Then, the game selection display is displayed on the monitor 11. Also in Embodiment 2, a case will be explained in which the game selection display information is stored in each game terminal 1, but it may be stored in the server device 50 as explained in Embodiment 1.

The player then views the game selection display displayed on the monitor 11, and, by operating the game selection button 8, performs the game selection operation to the operation accepting unit 41 to select a game that the player wishes to play. The game selection operation information corresponding to that operation is transmitted from the terminal communication processing unit 42 to the server device 50. Here, similar to Embodiment 1, a case in which the player has selected a slot game is taken as an example. When receiving this game selection operation information, the server communication processing unit 63 of the server device 50 reads out the game program corresponding to the game selection operation information from amongst the multiple kinds of game programs that are stored in the storage unit 61.

When the game terminal 1 receives the game program with the terminal communication processing unit 42, the game program is temporarily stored in a game program storage region of the RAM 23. Thereafter, the control unit 70 of the game terminal 1 executes the game program stored in the RAM 23 and initiates the slot game. Specifically, the control unit 70 displays the game display according to the executed game program on the display unit 43. This allows the player to play the slot game that the player has selected. Then, the player performs a game operation, such as the bet operation and spin operation mentioned above, in the operation accepting unit 41 which changes the progress of the game, and the slot game proceeds further. Note that the control of the slot game is identical with that of Embodiment 1, except that the control unit 70 provided in the game terminal 1 executes the game program, therefore an explanation thereof will be omitted.

The game program that is temporarily stored in the game program storage region of the RAM 23 may be deleted when the player chooses a different game as the next game to play. In this case, the game program storage region of the RAM 23 only needs to have a capacity for one game program, therefore costs can be reduced. When the remaining capacity of the game program storage region of the RAM 12 is smaller than the volume of the downloaded program, some (the game program that was first downloaded, for example) or all of the game programs stored in that game program storage region, may be deleted. In this case, if the game program that the player has selected is still in the RAM 23, that game program can be executed without a need to transmit the game selection operation information to the server device 50. In other words, a game program does not have to be downloaded from the server device 50 if that game program is found stored in the RAM 23 after searching therein based on the game selection operation information. In this way, the communication data volume between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50 can be reduced, and the degradation of overall performance of the casino game system can be minimized.

Also in Embodiment 2, the game terminal 1 is provided with the credit process execution unit 46 that performs the credit adding process (detection result information process), and the credit storage unit 47. Therefore, no communication is necessary between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50 when the number of credits equivalent to a deposit amount (detected information) that is accepted at the deposit accepting unit 44 of each game terminal 1 are stored in the credit storage unit 47. This reduces the communication data volume between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50, and minimizes the degradation of overall performance of the casino game system, compared to a configuration in which the credit process execution unit 46 and the credit storage unit 47 are provided in the server device 50. In particular, because the game system of Embodiment 2 is a download type game system, game program information having a large amount of data must be transmitted from the server device to each game terminal 1. This may result in an increase in communication data between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50 compared to the game system according to Embodiment 1. Thus, the aforementioned configuration by which the communication data volume can be reduced is very effective for the download type game system of Embodiment 2.

Alternative Embodiment 1

Next, one modification (hereinafter referred to as “Alternative Embodiment 1”) of the aforementioned Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 will be explained. In Alternative Embodiment 1, a thin-client game system similar to that of Embodiment 1 will be explained. Note, however, that Alternative Embodiment 1 may also be applied to a download type game system similar to that of Embodiment 2. The hardware configurations of the game terminal 1 and the server device 50 are essentially identical to those described in Embodiment 1, and thus an explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the functions provided in the server device 50 in Alternative Embodiment 1 are identical to those described in Embodiment 1, and thus an explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of a casino game system according to Alternative Embodiment 1. The game terminal 1 in Alternative Embodiment 1 comprises a deposit authentication detection unit 71 and a deposit determination process execution unit 72, in addition to the operation accepting unit 41, terminal communication processing unit 42, display unit 43, and deposit accepting unit 44 that the game terminal 1 of Embodiment 1 also comprises. Note that the deposit amount detection unit 45, credit process execution unit 46, and credit storage unit 47 that the game terminal 1 of Embodiment 1 comprises are not essential in Alternative Embodiment 1, so these are not shown in the figure.

The deposit authentication detection unit 71 in Alternative Embodiment 1 comprises an inspection device that checks whether or not coins and bills inserted into the coin slot 5 a and bill slot 5 b, which constitute the deposit accepting unit 44, are counterfeit. The deposit authentication detection unit 71 detects deposit authentication determining information. The deposit authentication determining information is information necessary for determining whether or not the deposited money accepted by the deposit accepting unit 44 is authentic. More specifically, the deposit authentication detection unit 71 detects information necessary for determining whether coins and bills inserted into the coin slot 5 a and bill slot 5 b, which constitute the deposit accepting unit 44, are authentic or counterfeit. Information used for publicly known deposit authentication processes can be widely used as the information for such authentication. The deposit authentication detection unit 71 acts as a detection unit for detecting the deposit authentication determining information as detected information in Alternative Embodiment 1. The deposit determination process execution unit 72 mainly comprises the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, etc. of the main control board 20. The deposit determination process execution unit 72 performs, by means of the CPU 21 executing a deposit authentication determining program stored in the ROM 22, a deposit authentication process in which it is determined whether or not the deposited money accepted by the deposit accepting unit 44 is authentic, based on the deposit authentication determining information detected by the deposit authentication detection unit 71.

According to Alternative Embodiment 1, the deposit determination process execution unit 72 that executes the deposit determination process (detection result information process) is provided in each game terminal 1. This eliminates the need for communication between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50 when transmitting the deposit authentication determining information (detected information) to the deposit determination process execution unit 72. Consequently, this reduces the communication data volume between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50, and minimizes the degradation of overall performance of the casino game system, compared to a configuration in which the deposit determination process execution unit 72 is provided in the server device 50.

Alternative Embodiment 2

Next, another alternative embodiment of the Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 (hereinafter referred to as “Alternative Embodiment 2”) will be explained. Here, a thin-client game system similar to that of Embodiment 1 will be explained. Note, however, that Alternative Embodiment 1 may also be applied to a download type game system similar to that of Embodiment 2. The hardware configurations of the game terminal 1 and the server device 50 are essentially identical to those described in Embodiment 1, so an explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the functions provided in the server device 50 in Alternative Embodiment 2 are identical to those described in Embodiment 1, and thus an explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a casino game system according to Alternative Embodiment 2. The game terminal 1 in Alternative Embodiment 2 comprises an identification information receiving unit 73, determining information detection unit 74, and identification information determination process execution unit 75 in addition to the operation accepting unit 41, terminal communication processing unit 42, display unit 43, and deposit accepting unit 44 that the game terminal 1 of Embodiment 1 also comprises. Note that the other units of the game terminal 1 that are described in Embodiment 1 or Alternative Embodiment 1 are not essential in Alternative Embodiment 2 so these are not shown in the figure.

The identification information receiving unit 73 according to Alternative Embodiment 2 is formed by the card slot 13 and the like. The determining information detection unit 74 is formed with the card reader 34 and the like, and detects a check code, namely, identification information determining information. The identification information determining information is information necessary for determining whether or not the player identification information (ID) received by the identification information receiving unit 73 is adequate. More specifically, the card reader 34 reads out the check code (identification information determining information) stored in the house card when the house card is inserted into the card slot 13 that forms the identification information receiving unit 73. Information used for publicly known ID authentication processes can be widely used as the identification information determining information. The determining information detection unit 74 acts as a detection unit for detecting the check code (identification information determining information) as detected information in Alternative Embodiment 2. The identification information determination process execution unit 75 mainly comprises the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, etc. of the main control board 20. The identification information determination process execution unit 75 performs, by means of the CPU 21 executing an identification information determination execution program stored in the ROM 22, an identification information determination process in which it is determined whether or not the ID accepted by the identification information receiving unit 73 is adequate, based on the check code detected by the determining information detection unit 74.

According to Alternative Embodiment 1, the identification information determination process execution unit 75 that executes the identification information determination process (detection result information process) is provided in each game terminal 1. This eliminates the need for communication between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50 when transmitting the check code (detected information) to the identification information determination process execution unit 75. Consequently, this reduces the communication data volume between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50, and minimizes the performance degradation of the overall casino game system, compared to a configuration in which the identification information determination process execution unit 75 is provided in the server device 50.

Alternative Embodiment 3

Next, another alternative embodiment of the Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 (hereinafter referred to as “Alternative Embodiment 3”) will be explained. Here, a thin-client game system similar to that of Embodiment 1 will be explained. Note, however, that Alternative Embodiment 3 may also be applied to a download type game system similar to that of Embodiment 2. The hardware configurations of the game terminal 1 and the server device 50 are essentially identical to those described in Embodiment 1, and thus an explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the functions provided in the server device 50 in Alternative Embodiment 3 are identical to those described in Embodiment 1, and thus an explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a casino game system according to Alternative Embodiment 3. The game terminal 1 in Alternative Embodiment 3 comprises a performance information detection unit 76 and performance malfunction determining process execution unit 77, in addition to the operation accepting unit 41, terminal communication processing unit 42, and display unit 43 that the game terminal 1 of Embodiment 1 also comprises. Note that the other units of the game terminal 1 that are described in Embodiment 1, Alternative Embodiment 1, or Alternative Embodiment 2 are not essential in Alternative Embodiment 3 so these are not shown in the figure.

The performance information detection unit 76 in Alternative Embodiment 3 detects performance malfunction determining information. The performance malfunction determining information is information necessary for determining whether or not the game terminal 1 is malfunctioning. For example, the performance information detection unit 76 comprises various sensors that detect a voltage level and current level of the main control board 20 and the sub-control board 30 (performance malfunction determining information), and environment information (performance malfunction determining information) such as the temperature and humidity inside the case 2. Note that the configuration of the performance information detection unit 76 is not limited to the aforementioned configuration so long as it detects the performance malfunction determining information. For example, a voltage monitor IC that detects the power voltage may be used when detecting an excessive current, voltage drop, power supply error such as instantaneous power failure, and the like. Also, when determining a door error in which a door provided on the case 2 is left open, a photosensor and the like that detects that the door has been left open may be used. A test device (currency validator, etc.) for checking whether or not coins and bills inserted into the coin slot 5 a and bill slot 5 b are counterfeit may also be used. The performance information detection unit 76 may also be a means that detects failure information (performance malfunction determining information) transmitted from the various devices for determining a device error, which includes a failure of the various devices provided in the game terminal 1, such as a printer, an illegal misuse of the various devices, etc. Other than the aforementioned devices, the performance information detection unit 76 may also include: a means that detects the performance malfunction determining information necessary for determining a program data error such as a data readout failure from the ROM 22 and 23, and the RAM 23 and 33, an abnormal operation of a program, and the like; a means that detects the performance malfunction determining information necessary for determining a self-check error when a value indicated by a counter (mechanical meter) does not match a value of a software meter; and a device means that detects the performance malfunction determining information necessary for determining a communication error such as a communication failure and disruption to a communication line.

The performance malfunction determining process execution unit 77 mainly comprises the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, etc. of the main control board 20. The performance malfunction determining process execution unit 77 performs, by the CPU 21 executing a performance malfunction determining program stored in the ROM 22, a performance malfunction determining process which determines whether or not the game terminal 1 is malfunctioning based on the performance malfunction determining information detected by the performance information detection unit 76. In Alternative Embodiment 3, it is determined that the game terminal 1 is malfunctioning when a voltage or current level detected by the performance information detection unit 76 is out of a specified range. Thereafter, an additional process is performed in which the game terminal 1 is stopped and a performance malfunction notification is made. Likewise, it is determined that the game terminal 1 is malfunctioning when the temperature or humidity detected by the performance information detection unit 76 is out of a specified range. Thereafter, an additional process is performed in which the game terminal 1 is stopped, and a performance malfunction notification is made.

According to Alternative Embodiment 3, the performance malfunction determining process execution unit 77 that executes the performance malfunction determining process (detection result information process) is provided in each game terminal 1. This eliminates the need for communication between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50 when transmitting the performance malfunction determining information (detected information) to the performance malfunction determining process execution unit 77. Consequently, this reduces the communication data volume between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50, and minimizes the performance degradation of the overall casino game system, compared to a configuration in which the performance malfunction determining process execution unit 77 is provided in the server device 50.

Alternative Embodiment 4

Next, another alternative embodiment of the Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 (hereinafter referred to as “Alternative Embodiment 4”) will be explained. Here, a thin-client game system similar to that of Embodiment 1 will be explained. Note, however, that Alternative Embodiment 4 may also be applied to a download type game system similar to that of Embodiment 2. The hardware configurations of the game terminal 1 and the server device 50 are essentially identical to those described in Embodiment 1, and thus an explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the functions provided in the server device 50 in Alternative Embodiment 4 are identical to those described in Embodiment 1, and thus an explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a casino game system according to Alternative Embodiment 4. The game terminal 1 in Alternative Embodiment 3 comprises a malfunction detection unit 78 and resetting process execution unit 79, in addition to the operation accepting unit 41, terminal communication processing unit 42 and display unit 43 that the game terminal 1 of Embodiment 1 also comprises. Note that the other units of the game terminal 1 that are described in Embodiment 1 and Alternative Embodiments 1 to 3 are not essential in Alternative Embodiment 4 so these are not shown in the figure.

The malfunction detection unit 78 according to Alternative Embodiment 4 detects performance malfunction information. The performance malfunction information is information for indicating that the game terminal 1 is malfunctioning. In Alternative Embodiment 4, a performance malfunction, such as the power supply error, device error and program data error explained in Alternative Embodiment 3, will be detected. Note that the configuration of the malfunction detection unit 78 is not limited to the configuration explained in Alternative Embodiment 4 so as long as it detects a performance malfunction that can be solved automatically by means of a resetting process. The resetting process execution unit 79 mainly comprises the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, etc. of the main control board 20. The resetting process execution unit 79 performs, by means of the CPU 21 executing a resetting process program stored in the ROM 22, a resetting process in which the malfunction is corrected based on the performance malfunction information detected by the error detection unit 78. In Alternative Embodiment 4, when a power supply error is detected, a process (resetting process) to reset the power is performed. When a device error is detected, a process (resetting process) to restart the device having the error is performed. Likewise, when a program data error is detected, a process (resetting process) to read out the data again or to restart the program is performed.

According to Alternative Embodiment 4, the resetting process execution unit 79 that executes the resetting process (detection result information process) is provided in each game terminal 1. This eliminates the need for communication between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50 when transmitting the performance malfunction information (detected information) to the resetting process execution unit 79. Consequently, this reduces the communication data volume between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50, and minimizes the performance degradation of the overall casino game system, compared to a configuration in which the resetting process execution unit 79 is provided in the server device 50.

Alternative Embodiment 5

Next, another alternative embodiment of the Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 (hereinafter referred to as “Alternative Embodiment 5”) will be explained. Here, a thin-client game system similar to that of Embodiment 1 will be explained. Note, however, that Alternative Embodiment 5 may also be applied to a download type game system similar to that of Embodiment 2. The hardware configurations of the game terminal 1 and the server device 50 are essentially identical to those described in Embodiment 1, and thus an explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the functions provided in the server device 50 in Alternative Embodiment 5 are identical to those described in Embodiment 1, and thus an explanation thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 15 is a functional block diagram showing the main configuration of a casino game system according to Alternative Embodiment 5. The game terminal 1 in Alternative Embodiment 5 comprises a performance status detection unit 80, history storing process execution unit 81, and history storage unit 82, in addition to the operation accepting unit 41, terminal communication processing unit 42 and display unit 43 that the game terminal 1 of Embodiment 1 also comprises. Note that the other units of the game terminal 1 that are described in Embodiment 1 and Alternative Embodiments 1 to 4 are not essential in Alternative Embodiment 5 so these are not shown in the figure.

The performance status detection unit 80 of Alternative Embodiment 5 mainly comprises the CPU 21, ROM 22 and RAM 23 of the main control board 20 and the like, and detects performance status information indicating that the game terminal 1 is in a specific performance status. Here, the performance status detection unit 80 detects a performance status that has been determined to be a performance malfunction by the malfunction determining process execution unit 77 of Alternative Embodiment 3 as a specific performance status. The performance status to be reset by the resetting process execution unit 79 of Alternative Embodiment 4 is also detected as a specific performance status. In this way, a performance status based on the malfunction of the game terminal 1 is detected as a specific performance status in Alternative Embodiment 5. Note that the specific performance status may also be detected based on the history.

The history storing process execution unit 81 mainly comprises the CPU 21, ROM 22, RAM 23, etc. of the main control board 20. The history storing process execution unit 81 performs, by means of the CPU 21 executing a history storing process program stored in the ROM 22, a history storing process in which a performance status history is stored in the history storage unit 82. Here, the performance status history means a history of the content of performance status information and the detection frequency detected by the performance status detection unit 80 in a predetermined period of time. What kind of performance status history should be obtained will be decided as needed depending on how it is to be used. The history storage unit 82 mainly comprises the RAM 23, and stores the performance status history in the history storage region of the RAM 23. The performance status history stored in the history storage unit 82 is read out, for example, when the floor manager uses that performance status history, transmitted to the server device 50 connected to the game terminal via the network and to a computer (not shown), and then used.

According to Alternative Embodiment 5, the history storing process execution unit 81 that executes the history storing process (detection result information process) and history storage unit 82 are provided in each game terminal 1. This eliminates the need for communication between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50 when storing the performance status history in the history storage unit 82. Consequently, this reduces the communication data volume between each game terminal 1 and the server device 50, and minimizes the degradation of overall performance of the casino game system, compared to a configuration in which the history storing process execution unit 81 and history storage unit 82 are provided in the server device 50.

Alternative Embodiment 6

Next, another alternative embodiment of the Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 (hereinafter referred to as “Alternative Embodiment 6”) will be explained. Here, a thin-client game system similar to that of Embodiment 1 will be explained. Note, however, that Alternative Embodiment 6 may also be applied to a download type game system similar to that of Embodiment 2. The hardware configurations of the game terminal 1 and the server device 50 are essentially identical to those described in Embodiment 1, and thus an explanation thereof will be omitted. Also, the functions provided in the server device 50 in Alternative Embodiment 6 are identical to those described in Embodiment 1, and thus an explanation thereof will be omitted.

The casino game system according to Alternative Embodiment 6 obtains the performance status history in a way that is similar to the aforementioned Alternative Embodiment 5. However, Alternative Embodiment 6 is different from Alternative Embodiment 5, in that the specific performance status is the performance status of a game according to the game program when in a specific progress state.

The performance status detection unit 80 of Alternative Embodiment 6 detects, for example, a performance status in which a large amount of credits is paid out or a specific event occurs, as a specific performance status. Taking the aforementioned slot game as an example, a performance status when a prize that allows the player to play the event, bonus game and feature game is won is detected as the specific performance status. A specific detection method in this case is, for example, to detect that the game terminal 1 has received the image and audio information transmitted from the server device 50 when the aforementioned prize is won in the slot game based on the game program executed by the control unit 62 of the server device 50. In this way, the performance status when the game progress is in a specific progress state based on the game program is detected as the specific performance status in Alternative Embodiment 6. Note that the specific performance status may also be detected based on the history.

Also in Alternative Embodiment 6, the history storing process execution unit 81 that executes the history storing process (detection result information process) and history storage unit 82 are provided in each game terminal 1. As a result, the performance degradation of the overall casino game system is minimized as is the case in Alternative Embodiment 5.

In the aforementioned Embodiments (including the Alternative Embodiments), a configuration has been explained in which the operation accepting unit 41 comprises buttons, but the operation accepting unit 41 may also be a touch panel on the monitor 11.

A computer program that will cause a computer to execute the above-described methods, and computer-readable recording media that store the programs, are within the scope of the present invention.

The computer-readable recording media include flexible discs, hard disc drives, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, BD (Blu-Ray Discs), and semiconductor memory, for example.

The computer programs of the present invention are not limited to those which are stored on recording media, or those which are transmitted through telecommunication lines, radio or cable communication lines, or networks including the Internet. 

1. A casino game system in which a server device that executes at least one game program, and a plurality of game terminals that provide a game according to the game program to a player by communicating with the server device, are connected so as to allow a two-way communication therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of game terminals comprises: an operation accepting unit for accepting a game selection operation and a game operation to a game in progress from a player; a terminal communication processing unit for receiving game data of a game that is initiated upon execution of a game program by the server device, and for transmitting game selection operation information that identifies the game program specified by the game selection operation, and game operation information that identifies the game operation to the server device; a display unit for displaying a game image based on image information included in the game data received by the terminal communication processing unit; a detection unit for detecting detected information other than the game selection operation information and the game operation information; and a process execution unit for processing the detected information; and the server device comprises: a storage unit for storing the at least one game program; a server communication processing unit for receiving the game selection operation information and the game operation information transmitted from each of the plurality of game terminals; and a control unit for reading out, from the storage unit, the game program corresponding to the game selection operation information received from the game terminal, for executing the read-out game program, and for controlling the game executed based on the game program according to the game operation information; the server communication processing unit transmitting the game data based on the game program being executed by the control unit, and the control data in accordance with the game operation information, to each of the plurality of game terminals that is a source of the game selection operation information and the game operation information.
 2. A casino game system in which a server device that stores at least one game program, and a plurality of game terminals, are connected so as to allow two-way communication therebetween, wherein each of the plurality of game terminals comprises: an operation accepting unit for accepting a game selection operation and a game operation in a game in progress from a player; a terminal communication processing unit for transmitting game selection operation information that identifies a game program specified by the game selection operation, and for receiving from the server device the game program corresponding to the game selection operation information; a control unit for executing the game program received by the terminal communication processing unit, and for controlling game data of a game executed based on the game program in accordance with the game operation information; a display unit for displaying a game image based on image information included in the game data; a detection unit for detecting detected information other than the game selection operation information and the game operation information; and a process execution unit for processing the detected information; and the server device comprises: a storage unit for storing the at least one game program; and a server communication processing unit for reading out the game program corresponding to the game selection operation information transmitted from each of the plurality of game terminals, and for transmitting the read-out game program to each of the plurality of game terminals that is a source of the game selection operation information.
 3. A casino game terminal that is connected to a server device that executes at least one game program so as to allow a two-way communication therewith, the casino game terminal comprising: an operation accepting unit for accepting a game selection operation and a game operation in a game in progress from a player; a terminal communication processing unit for receiving game data of a game initiated upon execution of a game program by the server device, and for transmitting game selection operation information that identifies the game program specified by the game selection operation, and game operation information that identifies the game operation to the server device; a display unit for displaying a game image based on image information included in the game data received by the terminal communication processing unit; a detection unit for detecting detected information other than the game selection operation information and the game operation information; and a process execution unit for processing the detected information.
 4. The casino game terminal according to claim 3, further comprising: a deposit accepting unit for accepting a deposit; and a credit storage unit for storing credit data that indicates an amount of credit; wherein the detected information is information on the amount of the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit, and the process execution unit adds a number of credits that is equivalent to the amount of the deposit detected by the detection unit to credit data stored in the credit storage unit.
 5. The casino game terminal according to claim 3, further comprising a deposit accepting unit for accepting a deposit, wherein the detected information is deposit authentication determining information for determining whether or not the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit is authentic, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit is authentic based on the deposit authentication determining information detected by the detection unit.
 6. The casino game terminal according to claim 3, further comprising an identification information receiving unit for receiving a player's identification information, wherein the detected information is identification information determining information for determining whether or not the player's identification information received by the identification information receiving unit is adequate, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the player's identification information received by the identification information receiving unit is adequate based on the identification information determining information detected by the detection unit.
 7. The casino game terminal according to claim 3, wherein the detected information is performance malfunction determining information for determining whether or not the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction based on the performance malfunction determining information detected by the detection unit.
 8. The casino game terminal according to claim 3, wherein the detected information is performance malfunction information indicating that the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction, and the process execution unit performs a resetting process for correcting the performance malfunction based on the performance malfunction information detected by the detection unit.
 9. The casino game terminal according to claim 3, further comprising a history storage unit for storing performance status history that indicates the casino game terminal was in a specific performance status in the past, wherein the detected information is performance status information for indicating that the casino game terminal is in the specific performance status, and the process execution unit stores in the history storage unit the performance status history corresponding to the specific performance status indicated by the performance status information detected by the detection unit.
 10. The casino game terminal according to claim 9, wherein the specific performance status is a performance status based on a performance malfunction of the casino game terminal.
 11. The casino game terminal according to claim 9, wherein the specific performance status is a performance status when a game progress status is in a specific progress status based on the game program.
 12. A casino game terminal that is connected to a server device that stores at least one game program so as to allow a two-way communication therewith, the casino game terminal comprising: an operation accepting unit for accepting a game selection operation and a game operation in a game in progress from a player; a terminal communication processing unit for transmitting game selection operation information that identifies a game program specified by the game selection operation, and for receiving the game program corresponding to the game selection operation information from the server device; a control unit for executing the game program received by the terminal communication processing unit, and for controlling game data of a game executed based on the game program in accordance with the game operation information; a display unit for displaying a game image based on image information included in the game data; a detection unit for detecting detected information other than the game selection operation information and the game operation information; and a process execution unit for processing the detected information.
 13. The casino game terminal according to claim 12, further comprising: a deposit accepting unit for accepting a deposit; and a credit storage unit for storing credit data that indicates an amount of credit; wherein the detected information is information on the amount of the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit, and the process execution unit adds a number of credits equivalent to the amount of the deposit detected by the detection unit to credit data stored in the credit storage unit.
 14. The casino game terminal according to claim 12, further comprising a deposit accepting unit for accepting a deposit, wherein the detected information is deposit authentication determining information for determining whether or not the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit is authentic, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the deposit accepted by the deposit accepting unit is authentic based on the deposit authentication determining information detected by the detection unit.
 15. The casino game terminal according to claim 12, further comprising an identification information receiving unit for receiving player identification information, wherein the detected information is identification information determining information for determining whether or not the player identification information received by the identification information receiving unit is adequate, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the player identification information received by the identification information receiving unit is adequate based on the identification information determining information detected by the detection unit.
 16. The casino game terminal according to claim 12, wherein the detected information is performance malfunction determining information for determining whether or not the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction, and the process execution unit determines whether or not the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction based on the performance malfunction determining information detected by the detection unit.
 17. The casino game terminal according to claim 12, wherein the detected information is performance malfunction information indicating that the casino game terminal is experiencing a performance malfunction, and the process execution unit performs a resetting process for correcting the performance malfunction based on the performance malfunction information detected by the detection unit.
 18. The casino game terminal according to claim 12, further comprising a history storage unit for storing performance status history that indicates the casino game terminal was in a specific performance status in the past, wherein the detected information is performance status information for indicating that the casino game terminal is in the specific performance status, and the process execution unit stores in the history storage unit the performance status history corresponding to the specific performance status that the performance indicated by the performance status information detected by the detection unit.
 19. The casino game terminal according to claim 18, wherein the specific performance status is a performance status based on a performance malfunction of the casino game terminal.
 20. The casino game terminal according to claim 18, wherein the specific performance status is a performance status when a game progress status is in a specific progress status based on the game program. 